How accurate is The Deliverance? Exploring the real Ammons haunting

The Deliverance, a new horror movie directed by Lee Daniels, premiered in select theaters on August 16 before becoming available on Netflix on August 30. In the film, the Jackson family faces demonic possession after moving to a new house.

Many viewers are curious about how accurately the film depicts the actual Ammons haunting case. Although based on real events, the movie uses creative license to heighten the drama and horror elements, which is common in such films.

The Deliverance follows the general story of the Ammons family's frightening experiences but adds dramatic layers that differ from the true events. While some scenes stick closely to the real occurrences, others, including character development and the final confrontation, are exaggerated or entirely fictionalized.

The real-life Ammons haunting, also known as the "200 Demons House," began in November 2011 when Latoya Ammons, her mother Rosa Campbell, and her three children moved into a rented house at 3860 Carolina Street in Gary, Indiana.

Soon after moving in, the family reported strange occurrences, starting with black flies swarming their porch in the middle of winter. They also claimed to hear unexplained noises and footsteps coming from the basement, which marked the beginning of more severe events.

As the haunting worsened, the children reportedly experienced terrifying phenomena. One child was said to have been thrown across a room, and another was allegedly seen levitating above her bed.

Rosa Campbell claimed to have witnessed shadowy figures and even reported being choked by an invisible force. The family's disturbing experiences caught the attention of the Department of Child Services (DCS), which investigated but remained doubtful of supernatural explanations.

The Deliverance mirrors several key elements from the actual Ammons haunting. Both stories feature a mother, her children, and her mother, all of whom encounter horrifying supernatural events after moving to a new house. In both cases, the family deals with fly infestations, strange sounds, and severe paranormal activity, including levitation and possession.

The involvement of child services and a religious figure conducting exorcisms is also reflected in both the real-life events and the film. These similarities lend authenticity to the movie while maintaining its connection to the Ammons family's real experiences.

Despite the family's claims, skepticism surrounded the case. Paranormal investigator Joe Nickell reviewed the reports and concluded that many details were either misrepresented or lacked credible evidence.

For example, the much-publicized incident where a child was said to walk backward up a wall was disputed, with some reports noting that the child's grandmother was holding his hand at the time.

While The Deliverance accurately portrays many of the frightening moments the Ammons family claimed to have experienced, it takes creative liberties in several areas.

The movie dramatizes the final exorcism scene, turning it into a climactic showdown between Ebony and the demon, which didn’t happen in reality. Additionally, the characters of Ebony and her mother are fictionalized to enhance the emotional depth of the story.